Author Archives:
Martin Gibbs

Martin Gibbs is a Senior Lecturer in department of Computing and Information Systems at the University of Melbourne. His research interests lie at the intersection between Science Technology Studies (STS) and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) with an ongoing interest in Game Studies. Current projects include: the adoption and appropriation of High-Speed Broadband in the home; Digital Commemoration; Tabletop Gaming and Social, Natural User Interfaces.

In separate incidents in early 2010 two children in Queensland Australia met untimely and violent deaths. In an increasingly common response, relatives, friends and strangers used social media to express grief, angst, solidarity, intimacy, and community, and to remember, mourn and share condolences for the young lives that had been lost. Social media is increasingly used for these kinds of expressions. However, social media is also often used for expressions of hatred, alienation and sociopathy. Within hours, the online commemorations for both children were defaced with abuse of the deceased and the bereaved, with links to pornographic sites, and with images that showed scenes of murder, race-hate and bestiality. Outrage ensued. Virulent condemnation of these so-called ‘RIP-Trolls’ flooded both social and mass media. The Australian Prime Minister commented; the Queensland Police Commissioner promised prosecution; and the Queensland State Premier demanded an apology from Facebook. The RIP-Trolls justified their actions as (read more...)